Textile rope washer



Feb. 28, 1956 w. w. ARNOLD 2,736,183

TEXTILE ROPE WASHER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 22, 1953 WALTER W. ARNOLD Feb. 28, 1956 w. w. ARNOLD TEXTILE ROPE WASHER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1955 U WN E WM .QNN

N WALTER w. ARNOLD Zmventor attorneys Feb. 28, 1956 Filed Jan. 22, 1953 w. w. ARNOLD TEXTILE ROPE WASHER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 WALTER W. ARNOLD Smaentor attornegs United States Patent TEXTILE ROPE WASHER Walter W. Arnold, Snyder, N. Y., assignor to Wiesner- Rapp Company, Inc., Bulfalo, N. Y.

Application January 22, 1953, Serial No. 332,606 12 Claims. (Cl. 68-22) This invention relates to means for continuous treatment of fabric or the like in the form of moving strands or webs, while being processed into finished form. More specifically, the treatments referred to relate to various processes such as may be effected while causing the fabric strand to travel through a treating vat or chamber containing washing, bleaching, or dyeing agents, or the like. Furthermore, the invention relates more particularly to means for continuously treating fabric strands travelling at relatively high speeds through liquid baths for the aforesaid purposes.

It is a primary obiect of the present invention to provide a compact, self-contained machine unit for the purposes aforesaid, embodying improved methods of strand handling and movement control for overall improved performance, compared to machines previously devised for such purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved machine unit as aforesaid embodying multiple roll elements so arranged as to provide improved multistage liquid applications to the treated fabric.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described which is adapted to be more easily threaded-up with the fabric strand preliminary to processing thereof, compared to prior machines in the art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for the purpose described embodying improved selective tension control means at the various stages of the processing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved machine for the purpose described which is simple and easy to service and fully enclosed within a relatively compact housing, requiring minimum floor space and head room.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved machine for the purpose described which provides improved penetration of the treating liquid into the fabric strand material, and improved circulation of the treating liquid relative to the process strand throughout the entire operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine as aforesaid embodying the above mentioned features and advantages in combination with reduced liquid consumption rate and reduced liquid capacity requirement.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine as aforesaid which is operable at a relatively low power consumption rate.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the specification hereinafter.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a combination vertical section and side elevation of a. machine incorporating the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section, taken along line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section, taken along line III-III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a top plan of the machine of Fig. 1, with most of the top cover plate structure thereof broken away;

walls.

2,736,183 Patented Feb. 28, 1956 ice Fig. 5 is afragmentary horizontal section, taken along line V-V of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a combination vertical section and end view taken along line VI-VI of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a schematic end view illustration of a method of threading the strand carrying rollers alternative to the method illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line VIIIVIII of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section, taken along line IX-- IX of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section of one of the partition devices showing the aperture therein which allows passage of the strand from one compartment to another.

This invention is illustrated by the drawing as being embodied in a washing or dyeing apparatus comprising generally a tank or vat it) such as may be fabricated of any suitable sheet metal inert to the chemicals to be encountered in connection with the process. Thus, the tank 10 may be of any suitable configuration, such as of a rectangular form as illustrated, including side and bottom and end walls interconnected to provide a liquidproof container, as is well known in the art. The interior of the tank 10 is compartmented by means of transverse vertical partitions designated 12, 14, 16, 18, 19 respectively; the partitions extending from the bottom of the tank to the top thereof except in the case of the partition 19 which terminates about mid-way of the height of the tank as shown. Thus, as viewed in Fig. 1, the partition 19 and the left hand end wall portion of the tank 10 define therebetween an inlet compartment 20, while the partitions 18 and 19 define therebetween a first stage treating compartment 22 having a bafile plate 23 disposed to extend transversely thereof. The partitions 16 and 18 define therebetween a second stage treatirig compartment 24 having a bafile plate 25 therewithin, while the partitions 14 and 16 define therebetween a third stage treating compartment 26 having a bafile plate 27 therein. The partitions 12 and 14 define therebetween a fourth stage treating compartment 28 having a baffle 29 therein, while the partition 12 and the right hand end wall of the tank 10 define therebetween a final niproll" compartment 39 having a baffle plate 31 therein.

The left hand end wall of the tank 10 is provided adjacent an upper corner portion thereof with a strand inlet pot-eye"32 through which the strand of fabric to be treated by the machine is threaded as indicated at 33 (Figs. 1, 4, 8). A guide roll 34 may be arranged just outside of the inlet pot-eye 32 if desired to ease the training of the fabric strand 33 into the machine. Just inside of the pot-eye 32 I provide a strand tensioner device comprising a yoke bracket 36 carried by a rotatable shaft 37 and fitted with parallel roller or rounded guide surfaces 38-39. The shaft 37 is mounted on the tank by means of bearings as indicated at 40 (Fig. 9) and extends through the side wall of the tank and mounts on the outside of the tank a worm gear device 42 connected to a hand wheel and shaft unit 44, whereby it will be appreciated that rotation of the hand wheel 44 will cause the yoke device 36 to swing in an are as illustrated in Fig. 8 so as to dispose the eccentric roller portion 38 of the device in any desired position relative to the poteye 32 for guiding and tensioning the strand 33 as it travels into the interior of the machine.

After the textile strand leaves the tensioner device it travels as indicated at 46 downwardly and under and around a dancer roll 48 which is disposed horizontally across the interior of the inlet compartment 20 of the tank 10 and is fitted with extending stub shafts at its opposite ends engaging bearings which slide-fit in appropriate vertical slot formations 49 in the tank side From the dancer roll 48 the textile strand travels 1 The textile strand 50 first passes upwardly and over the end of the upper roll 51 which is in line with the poteye 32 and then travels downwardly as indicated at 54 (Fig. 1) and thence around the lower roll 52 and thence up again as indicated at 55 and over the upper roll 51 again at a position side-by-side on the roll relative to the position of crossing of the strand 50 (Fig. 4). From theme the strand again trains downwardly and around under the bottom roll 52 at a position side-by-side on the roll relative to the position of the first strand winding therearouncl; and so on up and over the top roll 51 and down and under the bottom roll 52, until the lengths of the rolls are traversed. Then when the strand reaches the end of the roll 51 opposite to the end where the incoming strand first engages it, the strand passes as indicated at 56 (Figs. 1 and 4) from the roll 51 for example through a suitable aperture A (see Fig. in the partition 18 over to the adjacent end portion of a second upper roll 58 which is disposed in the upper portion of the compartment 24 in parallel relation to the upper roll 51. In the bottom portion of the compartment 24 is disposed a bottom roll 60 running parallel to the bottom roll 52 in the compartment 22, and the fabric strand portion 56 travels first over the upper roll 58 and then downwardly as indicated at 61 and thence around and under the bottom roll 60 and thence up again as indicated at 62 so as to train over the upper roll 58 again at a position side-by-side on the roll relative to the position of first crossing of the textile strand. The strand then continues in like manner up and down throughout the length of the rolls 58-60 until the textile strand reaches the opposite ends of the rolls and emerges therefrom in the form of a strand indicated at 64 passing for example through a suitable aperture in the partition 16 (not shown) over into the compartment 26 where it trains over the upper roll 66 thereof corresponding to the rolls 51 and 58 of compartments 2224. The compartment 26 also contains a bottom roll 68 corresponding to the bottom rolls 52 and 60 of the compartments 22-24; and the textile strand trains around the upper and lower rolls 66-68 in the manner described hereinabove until the lengths of the rolls are traversed whereupon the textile strand emerges as indicated at 69 from the roll 66 and travels for example through a suitable aperture in the partition 14 (not shown) across into the upper portion of the compartment 28, whereupon it trains over an upper roll 70 disposed therein. A bottom roll 72 is disposed in the bottom portion of the compartment 28, and the textile strand trains back and forth between and around the upper and lower rolls 70-72 in the manner described hereinabove in connection with the other pairs of rolls until the lengths of the rolls 7072 are traversed whereupon the textile strand emerges from the upper end of the compartment 28 as indicated at 73 for example through a suitable aperture in the partition 12 (not shown) and passes into the upper end of the nip'roll compartment 30.

It will be understood that the showing of Fig. 10 with relation to the aperture A in partition 18 applies equally as well to the apertures related above in connection with partitions 12, 14 and 16. That is, in each case, an aperture is provided, similar to that shown in Fig. 10, which permits the strand to pass from one compartment into the next. Of course, the apertures are in staggered relationship, that is, the apertures in adjacent partitions will be disposed adjacent opposite sides of the tank since,

of course, the strands will be disposed about the various rolls from one end to the other and then back again in adjacent compartments.

Thenip roll compartment 30 contains in the upper portion thereof a pair of nip rolls arranged in vertically superposed relation, the bottom nip roll being indicated at 74 and the upper nip roll being indicated at 75. The rolls 7475 are disposed transversely of the container 10 and the bottom roll 74 is journaled on the side walls of the container as by means of fixed bearing blocks indicated at 76. The upper nip roll 75 is journaled in hearing blocks 78 which are vertically slidable in guide rails 79 fixed to the side walls of the container 10 for purposes of adjusting the pressures between the nip rolls 7475, as will be explained hereinafter. Pneumatic piston cylinder units 80-80 are mounted at opposite sides of the container 10 above the slide bearing blocks 7878, and the piston elements thereof connect as indicated at 81 to the bearing blocks 78 for transmission of pressures at opposite ends of the roll 75 for squeezing the latter downwardly against the roll 74. A pneumatic pressure line serving the cylinders 80-80 is indicated at 82-84, power control valves and pressure regulators therefor being indicated at 86-87 respectively. The pressure source line is indicated at 88 (Fig. 6).

A bottom roll 90 is journaled in the bottom portion of the nip roll compartment 30 and the textile strand is threaded back and forth over and under the rolls 7490 as in the manner of the threading of the textile strand over and under the paired rolls in the compartments 2224-26-28 of the unit, as described hereinabove. Thus, the textile strand eventually traverses the lengths of the rolls 74-90 and finally emerges from between the rolls 7475 as indicated at 92, and then passes through a suitable opening, for example as indicated at 93 (Fig. 6), in the end wall of the unit for delivery to the next successive operation of the textile strand. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, to facilitate guiding of the textile strand from the machine a take-away roll as indicated at 94 may be mounted by means of a shaft 95 and brackets 96 extending from the casing 10, the take-away roll 94 being freely adjustable along the shaft 95 so as to be adapted to be readily aligned with the textile strand 92 as it emerges from the nip rolls 7475.

The treating liquid supply system for the apparatus of the invention may comprise any suitable means for delivery of a washing or bleaching or dyeing solution or the like into the interior of the tank 10, as for example as indicated at 100 (Fig. l), by means of a conduit connection through a side wall portion of the tank adjacent the material strand outlet end thereof. Thus, the treating liquid, such as a washing or bleaching or dyeing solution or the like may be delivered through the conduit connection 100 from any suitable source of supply, and fed thereto either by gravity or by pump pressure, as may be preferred. In any case, in accord with the present invention it is preferred to introduce the incoming liquid into the tank 10 at the material outlet end thereof and at one side thereof, as being shown for example in Fig. l at the foreground side wall of the tank, and at a position between the rear end wall of the tank and the transversely extending baffie 31. The partition 12 which operates to separate the compartments 28--30 is thereupon apertured as indicated at 102 (Figs. 1, 3, 5, and 6), at an elevation devised to build up the liquid level within the compartment 30 to the level thereof as indicated at 103 (Fig. l). The tank partition 14 is similarly apertured as indicated at 104 (Figs. 2 and 6) at an elevation slightly below the elevation of the aperture 102 but adjacent the opposite side portion of the tank 10.

Thus, it will be appreciated that as liquid is pumped through the conduit connection 100 into the compartment 30 it will fill the latter up to the level 103 as indicated therein, and will then overflow through the aperture 102 and thence into the compartment 28 until it reaches the level as indicated at 105 therein before it overflows through the aperture 104. Also, it will be appreciated that the aperture and intermediate baffle devices within the chambers 28 and 30 will cause the incoming liquid to flow first from the conduit connection 100 and thence crosswise of the compartment 30 back to gain the aperture 1&2, from whence it overflows into the compartment 23 and then proceeds to flow rearwards and crosswise again toward the background side portion of the tank in order to reach the overflow aperture 194. By virtue of this arrangement the treating liquid is forced to distribute itself equally throughout each chamber of the tank and to flow back and forth through the adjacent chambers thereof, thereby assuring uniform distribution of the treating liquid ingredients and intimate contact thereof with all portions of the fabric strand training around the various roll devices as hereinabove described.

Thus, in the same manner previously described in connection with the chambers 38 and 28, the partition 16 is provided with an aperture 166 which controls the level of the liquid in the chamber 26 to the elevation as indicated at 107; the partition 13 includes an aperture 1% controlling level of liquid in the chamber 24 as to the level indicated at 109; and the partition 19 includes an aperture 110 controlling the level of liquid in the chamber 22 to the level as indicated at 53. The apertures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 are disposed in staggered relation at progressively opposite side portions of the tank 19 so as to cause the liquid flow to criss-cross throughout the length of the tank 16 as it travels from the conduit connection 100 toward the outlet aperture 110. The liquid overflowing through the aperture 110 then passes downwardly and through the inlet compartment 20 and to a conduit connection as indicated at 112 which may be arranged to lead to a suitable sewer or return conduit or any other preferred device, according to the specific installation and the purpose of the apparatus.

Thus it will be appreciated that as the fabric strand 33 enters the machine of the invention and trains over and around and progressively across each pair of top and bottom rolls disposed within the compartments 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 respectively, the fabric fibers thereof will be gently flexed as the strand runs around the rolls and then straightens out to move on to the next roll, while being disposed in intimate contact with the constantly circulating and forward flowing stream of treating liquid. Also, it is a particular feature that as the strand progresses through the machine from the inlet end thereof toward the discharge end thereof, it comes into contact with progressively fresher supply liquid until it passes into the nip-roll compartment 3% just prior to its emergence from the machine wherein it comes into contact with the freshest and purest form of the treating liquid.

Fig. 7 illustrates an alternate method of threading the fabric strand around the paired units of upper and lower rolls of the machine, such as for example the rolls 5152 of the compartment 22; but it will be understood that the strand may be similarly threaded around the other roll units of the machine. As shown in Fig. 7, the incoming fabric strand 59 is threaded first over the top roll 51 at one end thereof and is then trained downwardly and some what rearwardly so as to engage the bottom roll at the rear side thereof and to then wind under and forwardly and then upwardly and back again toward the rear side of the upper row 51. Thus, the downrunning strands 54 cross the upcoming strands 55 in the arrangement of Fig. 7 as distinguished from the parallel running arrange ment thereof as shown in Fig. 1. After the strand completely traverses the length of the rolls 51-52, it finally emerges as indicated at 56 to cross over into the next compartment 24, as in the manner of the arrangement in Fig. 1. Thus, it will be appreciated that the arrangement of Fig. 7 introduces a somewhat increased degree of flexing of the strand material incidental to its training around the roll units, compared to the arrangement of Fig. 1; and wherever the fabric material is of such nature as to indicate that this increased degree of flexing is desirable so as to permit improved penetration of the treating liquid into the fabric body, the arrangement of Fig. 7 is to be preferred.

Any suitable means may of course be employed to drive the machine rolls about which the fabric strand trains, and as shown in the drawing, the upper rolls 51, 58, 66, 70 may be conveniently driven by V-belt and pulley devices as indicated at 116, 118, 120, 122, deriving power through V-belts 124 from a pulley 125 driving the nip-roll 75 and in turn deriving power through V-belts 126 from an electric motor designated M (Fig. 4) which may be located at any convenient position relative to the machine. The take-oh" roll 94 may be conveniently driven as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 by means of a V-belt 128 deriving power from a pulley 129 connected to the lower nip roll shaft 76. Thus, the fabric strand is drawn into the machine and pulled therethrough and delivered from the roll 94 by constant applications of pulling power thereon through the medium of the rolls 51, 58, 66, 70, 75 and 94; whereby a uniformly distributed application of power is obtained to avoid undesirable stretching of the fabric strand and/or introduction of unequal fabric travel effects such as would otherwise interfere with smooth operation of the machine.

The dancer roll 48 may be conveniently arranged to apply a selectively controlled drag upon the entering fabric strand; and as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, an'arrangement for this purpose may include an endless cable arrange ment 136 coupled to each end of the dancer roll shaft; the cable 130 at each end thereof being arranged to run around idler pulleys 132133; the bottom pulleys 132132 being interconnected by means of a cross-shaft 134 and the top pulleys 133133 being interconnected by a cross shaft 134', to synchronize the up and down motions of the opposite ends of the dancer roll 48. A suitable counterweight as indicated at 135 is connected into the endless cable arrangement 130 at each side of the unit; the counterweights 135135 being either preselected or adjustable as to the weight so as to provide the desired drag effect against the motion of the fabric strand as it travels through the machine.

To provide for automatic control of the speed of the machine in pulling the fabric strand therethrough, whereby to maintain the machine speed in proper relation to the rate of feeding of fabric strand thereto, a rheostat or suitable control device as indicated at may be conveniently mounted upon the upper frame portion of the machine and connected to be driven by means of an endless chain 142 in response to rotations of the upper pulley 133. Thus, for example, if the machine lags behind the rate of delivery thereto of fabric strand from the operation just ahead of the machine of the invention in the production line, the intermediate slack in the fabric strand will be reflected by gradual lowering of the dancer roll 48 in response to the pull of the counterweights 135-135 thereon. This lowering movement of the dancer roll will in turn cause the top pulley 133 to rotate, thereby actuating the rheostat to increase the voltage on the machine driving motor M, responsive to which the machine speed will be increased so as to take up the slack. Reversely, in event the machine speed over-reaches the rate of delivery of fabric strand to the machine, the dancer roll 48 will thereby be pulled upwardly in its vertically slidable mounting arrangement thereby causing the rheostat to be reversely controlled so as to apply a control effect to the motor tending to slow down the latter.

As indicated at 15th (Figs. 1 and 4) strand guide fingers may be mounted upon the transverse partition devices of the tank 10 to assist in guiding the strand material to travel progressively back and forth across the roll devices thereof as explained hereinabove. Similarly, guide fingers as indicated at 152 may be employed to guide the incoming strand to proper position on the top roll 51. In the prefered form of the machine of the invention the belt drive pulleys 116, 118, 120, 122 are of pitch diameter adjustable form, and each pulley is arranged to be separately adjustable as to its effective pitch diameter by any suitable means, such as by the hand wheels as indicated at 155 (Figs. 4, 6). Such type of pulleys, that is pulleys of an adjustable pitch diameter form, are commonly known and there are numerous types presently on the market and it is not seen that further description of these pulleys is necessary. Thus, the pitch diameters of the respective drive pulleys may be selectively adjusted while the machine is in operation. It is by virtue of this arrangement that any desired degree of stretch, as may be dictated by the preferences of the operator, may be obtained in the fabric strand, by simple manipulations of the control wheels 155 thereby selectively regulating the tensions on the strand at the different stages of its movement through the machine. It is a tremendous advantage that the relative speeds of the various rolls around which the fabric strand trains are readily adjustable while the machine is in operation, because the machine attendant is thereby able to make the necessary speed and tension adjustments to the various stages of the machine as may be required to obtain the desired fabric travel speed and stretch effects. Such results are not obtainable for example in machines including arrangements for simply presetting the roll speed adjustment mechanisms when the machine is at stand-still.

It is another particular feature of the machine of the invention that it embodies a novel and improved liquid circulation system in connection with the various stages of the fabric treating operation thereof. As explained, hereinabove, when used as a single liquid treating machine, fresh liquid is fed through the conduit connection 100 at the product delivery end of the machine for circulation back and forth progressively through the various compartments of the machine for ultimate discharge as spent liquor through the connection 112. On the other hand, the machine is equally applicable for use in connection with simultaneous multiple liquid treatments of the processed strand. For example, as indicated at 160, 165 (Fig. 1) additional liquid inlet and outlet connections may be provided at the side walls of the machine tank in communication with any desired interior chamber portion thereof. Thus, it will be readily appreciated that the various interior chamber portions of the machine tank may be arranged to contain any desired liquid bath ingredients for progressive treatments of the fabric strand with different solutions or liquids. For example, separate baths of hot and cold water, or soapy water, or dyeing liquids, or

other chemicals or neutralizers or the like may be arranged in the desired sequence by simply providing suitable plumbing connections to and from the various compartments of the machine tank in connection with the desired liquid supplies.

Thus, it will be appreciated that the machine of the invention provides a novel multi-stage fabric strand treating apparatus wherein the fabric strand may be exposed in improved manner to wetting contact with any desired treating solution at any stage of the process. Also, that any desired degree of tension or stretch may be applied to the fabric strand at any stage of the process, according to the preferences of the operators. Also, it will be appreciated that the machine tank structure may be of any preferred dimensions and may contain any desired number of interior compartments; and that the fabric strand training rolls thereof may be of any preferred diameters and lengths, according to the capacity requirements for any given operation. Therefore, although only One specific form of the machine of the invention has been shown and described in detail herein, it will be understood that material comprising a tank structure being interiorly compartmented by partition devices extending vertically transversely within the tank providing a plurality of tank compartments, said partition devices having fluid transfer apertures in staggered relation at progressively opposite side portions thereof, paired rolls mounted respectively at the top and at the bottom portions of said tank compartments, a squeeze roll unit mounted in the tank compartment at the fabric discharge end, fabric strand inlet means at one end of said tank operable to guide the incoming strand of fabric to enter the tank and to then train over one of said upper rolls and thence downwardly around the paired bottom roll thereof and thence upwardly and again over said upper roll at a position spaced longitudinally therealong and thence downwardly and around said lower roll again, and so on until said fabric strand traverses the lengthwise extents of said upper and lower rolls whereupon said strand is threaded to pass over into the next compartment portion of said tank and over and around the paired upper and lower rolls thereof in like manner, and so on throughout the various compartments of said tank until said fabric strand is finally threaded through said squeeze roll unit and then discharged from said tank, power supply means operably connected separately to each upper roll of said machine and selectively adjustable while the machine is operating whereby the speeds of said upper rolls may be relatively adjusted at will while a fabric strand is running through said machine, treating fluid supply connection means disposed in communication with the compartment adjacent the discharge end portion of said machine and adapted to deliver thereinto supplies of treating fluid, a fluid outlet connection disposed at the opposite end portion of said tank, whereby the treating fluid will criss-cross through the length of said tank from the fabric strand discharge end theerof toward the fabric strand inlet end thereof.

2. In a machine for continuous treatment of a fabric strand running therethrough comprising a tank interiorly compartmented to provide tank compartments, paired roll units mounted at the top and at the bottom respectively of each of said tank compartments, means at one end of said tank operable to guide the incoming strand of fabric into the tank, the strand then being trained over one of said upper rolls and thence downwardly around the bottom roll of the same compartment and thence over into the next compartment portion of said tank and thence over and around the upper and lower rolls thereof in like manner, and so on throughout the various compartments of said tank until said fabric strand is finally discharged from said tank, said means including a pot-eye in the end wall of said tank and a strand tensioner and guide adjacent and inwardly thereof consisting of a yoke bracket carried by a rotatable shaft and fitted with parallel roller guide surfaces adapted to be positionally arcuately adjustable, power supply means operably connected separately to each of said upper rolls of said compartments and selectively adjustable while the machine is operating whereby the speeds of said upper rolls may be relatively adjusted at will, fluid supply means disposed in communication with said tank compartments and adapted to deliver thereinto supplies of different fluids. 3. A machine for continuous treatment of a fabric strand comprising an interiorly compartmented tank structure providing a plurality of tank compartments, paired rotatable strand guide means mounted at the top and at the bottom portions of said tank compartments, means at one end of said tank operable to guide the incoming strand of fabric to enter the tank and to then train over one of said upper guide means and thence downwardly around the paired bottom guide means and thence upwardly and again over said upper guide means at a position spaced longitudinally therealong and thence downwardly and around said lower guide means again, and so on until said fabric strand traverses the lengthwise extents of said upper and lower guide means whereupon said strand is threaded to pass over into the next compartment portion '9 of said tank and over and around the paired upper and lower guide means thereof in like manner, and so 011 throughout the various compartments of said tank, a squeeze roll unit mounted in the compartment at the opposite end of said tank, said strand passing through said squeeze roll unit just prior to discharge thereof from said tank, power supply means operably connected sepai'ately to each upper guide means of said machine and selectively adjustable while the machine is operating whereby the speeds of said upper guide means may be relatively adjusted at will while a fabric strand is running through said machine, treating fluid supply connection 7 means disposed in communication with the compartment adjacent the discharge end portion of said machine and adapted to deliver thereinto supplies of treating fluid, a fluid outlet connection disposed at the opposite end portion of said tank and compartment fluid transfer means, whereby the treating fluid will flow through said tank from the fabric strand discharge end thereof toward the fabric strand inlet end thereof.

4. A machine for continuous treatment of fabric strand material comprising a tank structure interiorly compartmented by partition devices extending vertically transversely within the tank providing a plurality of tank compartments, paired rolls mounted respectively at the top and at the bottom portions of said tank compartments, fabric strand inlet means at one end of said tank operable to guide the incoming strand of fabric to enter the tank and to then train over one of said upper rolls and thence downwardly around the paired bottom roll thereof and thence upwardly and again over said upper roll at a position spaced longitudinally therealong and thence downwardly and around said lower roll again, and so on until said fabric strand traverses the lengthwise extents of said upper and lower rolls whereupon said strand is threaded to pass over into the next compartment portion of said tank and over and around the paired upper and lower rolls thereof in like manner, and so on throughout the various compartments of said tank, a squeeze roll unit mounted at the opposite end of said tank, said strand passing through said squeeze roll unit just prior to discharge from said tank, power supply means operably connected separately to each upper roll of said machine and selectively adjustable while the machine is operating whereby the speeds of said upper rolls may be relatively adjusted at will while a fabric strand is running through said machine, treating fluid supply connection means disposed in communication with the compartment adjacent the discharge end portion of said machine and adapted to deliver thereinto supplies of treating fluid, a fluid outlet connection disposed at the opposite end portion of said tank, and the partition devices forming said tank compartments being apertured to provide communication between compartrnents whereby the treating fluid will flow through said tank from the fabric strand discharge end thereof toward the fabric strand inlet end of said tank.

'5. In a machine for continuous treatment of a fabric strand running therethrough, comprising a tank interiorly compartmented to provide tank compartments, paired roll units mounted at the top and at the bottom respectively of each of said tank compartments, means at one end of said tank operable to guide the incoming strand of fabric into the tank, the strand then being trained over one of said upper rolls and thence downwardly around the bottom roll of the same compartment and thence over into the next compartment portion of said tank and thence over and around the upper and lower rolls thereof in like manner, and so on throughout the various compartments of said tank until said fabric strand is finally discharged from said tank, power supply means operably connected separately to each of said upper rolls of said compartments and selectively adjustable while the machine is operating whereby the speeds of said upper rolls may be relatively adjusted at will, the partions forming said tank compartments being apertured to provide communication between adjacent compartments, baffle devices interiorly 10 of each compartment of said tank constructed and arranged to cause liquid therein to flow first in one direction transversely thereof and then reversely thereof, and fluid supply means disposed in communication with said tank compartments and adapted to deliver thereinto supplies of fabric treating fluids.

6. In a machine for continuous treatment of a fabric strand running therethrough comprising a tank interiorly compartmented to provide a plurality of tank compartments, the partitions forming said tank compartments being apertured to provide communication between compartments, paired roll units mounted at the top and at the bottom respectively of each of said tank compartments, means at one end of said tank operable to guide the incoming strand of fabric into the tank, the strand then being trained over one of said upper rolls and thence downwardly around the bottom roll of the same compartment and thence over into the next compartment portion of said tank and thence over and around the upper and lower rolls thereof in like manner, and so on throughout the various compartments of said tank until. said fabric strand is finally discharged from said tank, power supply means operably connected separately to each of said upper rolls of said compartments including control means selectively adjustable while the machine is operating whereby the speeds of said upper rolls may be relatively adjusted at will, and fluid supply means disposed in communication with the tank compartment at the strand discharge endof said machine and adapted to deliver thereinto supplies of fabric treating fluids.

7. A machine for continuous treatment of a fabric strand comprising an interiorly compartmented tank structure providing a plurality of tank compartments, paired strand guide roller means mounted at the top and at the bottom portions of said tank compartments, means at one end of said tank operable to guide the incoming strand of fabric to enter the tank and to then train around one of said upper guide means and thence downwardly around the paired bottom guide means and thence up-.

wardly and again around said upper guide means at a position spaced longitudinally therealong and thence downwardly and around said lower guide means again, and so on until said fabric strand traverses the lengthwise extents of said upper and lower guide means whereupon said strand is threaded to pass over into the next compartment portion of said tank and over and around the paired upper and lower guide means thereof in like manner, and so on throughout the various compartments of said tank, a squeeze roll unit mounted at the opposite end of said tank, said strand passing through said unit just prior to discharge thereof from said tank, power supply -means operably connected separately to each upper guide roller means of said machine and selectively adjustable while the machine is operating whereby the speeds of said upper guide means may be relatively adjusted at will while a fabric strand is running through said machine, treating fluid supply connection means disposed in communication with the tank structure adapted to deliver thereinto supplies of treating fluid, gravity-controlled idler roll means engaging said fabric strand as it enters said tank structure and positionally adjusted by the changes in tension on said strand, and speed control means for said guide roller means being operably connected to said idler roll means so as to be responsive to the positional adjustments thereof.

8. A machine for continuous treatment of a fabric strand comprising an interiorly compartmented tank structure providing a plurality of tank compartments, paired strand guide roller means mounted at the top and at the bottom portions of said tank compartments, means at one end of said tank operable to guide the incoming strand of fabric to enter the tank and to then train over the first one of said upper roller means and thence downwardly and back under and around the paired bottom roller means and thence upwardly and againback and over said upper roller means at a position spaced longitudinally therealong and thence downwardly and back and around said lower roller means again, and so on until said fabric strand traverses the lengthwise extents of said upper and lower roller means whereupon said strand is threaded to pass over into the next compartment portion of said tank and over and around the paired upper and lower guide means thereof in like manner, and so on throughout the various compartments of said tank, power supply means operably connected separately to each upper roller means of said machine and selectively adjustable while the machine is operating whereby the speeds of said upper roller means may be relatively adjusted at will while a fabric strand is running through said machine, treating fluid supply connection means disposed in communication with the compartment adjacent the discharge end portion of said machine and adapted to deliver thereinto supplies of treating fluid, a fluid outlet connection disposed at the opposite end portion of said tank, and compartment fluid transfer means, whereby the treating fluid will flow through said tank from the fabric strand discharge end thereof toward the fabric strand inlet end thereof.

9. A machine for continuous treatment of fabric strand material comprising a tank structure interiorly compartmented by partition devices extending vertically transversely within the tank providing a plurality of tank compartments, paired rolls mounted respectively at the top and at the bottom portions of said tank compartments, fabric strand inlet means at one end of said tank operable to guide the incoming strand of fabric to enter the tank and to then train over the first one of said upper rolls and thence downwardly around the paired bottom roll thereof and thence upwardly and again over said upper roll at a position spaced longitudinally therealong and thence downwardly and around said lower roll again, and so on whereupon said strand is threaded to pass over into the next compartment portion of said tank and over and around the paired upper and lower rolls thereof in like manner, and so on throughout the various compartments of said tank, a squeeze roll unit disposed within the last compartment portion of said tank, said strand passing through said unit just prior to discharge from said tank, means for adjusting said squeeze roll unit to vary the pressure applied thereby upon the fabric strand as it passes therethrough, power supply means operably connected separately to each upper roll of said machine and selectively adjustable while the machine is operating whereby the speeds of said upper rolls may be relatively adjusted at will while a fabric strand is running through said ma chine, treating fluid supply connection means disposed in communication with the compartment adjacent the discharge end portion of said machine and adapted to deliver thereinto supplies of treating fluid, and a fluid outlet connection disposed at the opposite end portion of said tank,

and compartment fluid transfer means whereby the treating fluid will flow through said tank from the fabric strand discharge end thereof toward the fabric strand inlet end thereof.

10. A machine for continuous treatment of fabric strand material comprising a tank structure interiorly compartmented by first partition devices extending vertically transversely within the tank providing a plurality of tank compartments, paired rolls mounted within said tank compartments, fabric strand inlet means at one end of said tank operable to guide the incoming strand of fabric into the tank, the strand then being trained around the rolls of the first one of said compartments and thence over into the next compartment portion of said tank and around the paired rolls thereof in like manner, and so on throughout the various compartments of said tank, a squeeze roll unit mounted at the opposite end of said tank, said strand passing through said unit just prior to discharge from said tank, power supply means operably connected separately to the upper roll of each of said paired rolls of said machine and selectively adjustable while the machine is operating whereby the speeds of said upper rolls may be relatively adjusted at will while a fabric strand is running through said machine, treating fluid supply connection means disposed in communication with the compartment adjacent the discharge end portion of said machine and adapted to deliver thereinto supplies of treating fluid, a fluid outlet connection disposed at the opposite end portion of said tank, the partitions forming said tank compartments being apertured to provide com munication between adjacent compartments, and second partition means disposed within each of said tank compartments whereby the treating fluid will flow through said tank from the fabric strand discharge end thereof back and forth transversely of said tank while progressing longitudinally thereof toward the outlet connection adjacent the fabric strand inlet end of said tank.

11. In a machine for continuous treatment of a fabric strand running therethrough, comprising a tank interiorly compartmented to provide tank compartments, paired roll units, bearing devices mounted externally of said tank for mounting said roll units at the top and at the bottom respectively of each of said tank compartments, means at one end of said tank operable to guide the incoming strand of fabric into the tank, the strand then being trained over one of said upper rolls and thence downwardly around the bottom roll of the same compartment and thence over into the neXt compartment portion of said tank and thence over and around the upper and lower rolls thereof in like manner, and so on throughout the various compartments of said tank until said fabric strand is finally discharged from said tank, power supply means operably connected separately to each of said upper rolls of said compartments and selectively adjustable while the machine is operating whereby the speeds of said upper rolls may be relatively adjusted at will, the partitions forming said tank compartments being apertured to provide communication between adjacent compartments, sub-partitioned devices interiorly of each compartment of said tank constructed and arranged to cause liquid therein to flow first in one direction transversely thereof and then in reverse direction transversely of the compartment while progressing toward and into the next compartment, and multiple fluid supply means disposed in communication with various of said tank compartments and adapted to selectively deliver thereinto supplies of fabric treating fluids.

12. In a machine for continuous treatment of a fabric strand running therethrough comprising a tank interiorly compartmented to provide adjacent tank compartments, paired roll units mounted within said tank compartments, means at one end of said tank operable to guide the incoming strand of fabric into the tank, the strand then being trained around the first roll unit and thence over into the next compartment portion of said tank and thence around the roll unit thereof in like manner, and so on throughout the various compartments of said tank until said fabric strand is finally discharged from said tank, power supply means operably connected separately to each of said roll units of said compartments including control means selectively adjustable while the machine is operating whereby the speeds of said roll units may be relatively adjusted at will, and fluid supply means disposed in communication with the tank compartments to deliver thereinto supplies of fabric treating fluids.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 276,634 Ruemelin May 1, 1883 1,497,075 Elliott June 10, 1924 1,875,984 Bosshard Sept. 6, 1932 2,084,367 Woodhead June 22, 1937 2,108,285 Forrest Feb. 15, 1938 2,276,605 Andrews Mar. 17, 1942 2,513,057 Schrenk June 27, 1950 2,618,142 Belcher Nov. 18, 1952 

1. A MACHINE FOR CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF FABRIC STRAND MATERIAL COMPRISING A TANK STRUCTURE BEING INTERIORLY COMPARTMENTED BY PARTITION DEVICES EXTENDING VERTICALLY TRANSVERSELY WITHIN THE TANK PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF TANK COMPARTMENTS, SAID PARTITION DEVICES HAVING FLUID TRANSFER APERTURES IN STAGGERED RELATION AT PROGRESSIVELY OPPOSITE SIDE PORTIONS THEREOF, PAIRED ROLLS MOUNTED RESPECTIVELY SIDE AT THE TOP AND AT THE BOTTOM PORTIONS OF SAID TANK COMPARTMENTS, A SQUEEZE ROLL UNIT MOUNTED IN THE TANK COMPARTMENT AT THE FABRIC DISCHARGE END, FABRIC STRAND INLET MEANS AT ONE END OF SAID TANK OPARABLE TO GUIDE THE INCOMING STRAND OF FABRIC TO ENTER THE TANK AND TO THEN TRAIN OVER ONE OF SAID UPPER ROLLS AND THENCE DOWNWARDLY AROUND THE PAIRED BOTTOM ROLL THEREOF AND THENCE UPWARDLY AND AGAIN OVER SAID UPPER ROLL AT A POSITION SPACED LONGITUDINALLY THEREALONG AND THENCE DOWNWARDLY AND AROUND SAID LOWER ROLL AGAIN, AND SO ON UNITL SAID FABRIC STRAND TRAVERSES THE LENGTHWISE EXTENTS OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER ROLLS WHEREUPON SAID STRAND IS THREADED TO PASS OVER INTO THE NEXT COMPARTMENT PORTION OF SAID TANK AND OVER AND AROUND THE PAIRED UPPER AND LOWER ROLLS THEREOF IN LIKE MANNER, AND SO ON THROUGHOUT THE VARIOUS COMPARTMENTS OF SAID TANK UNTIL SAID FARBIC STRAND IS FINALLY THREADED THROUGH SAID SQUEEZE ROLL UNIT AND THEN DISCHARGED FROM SAID TANK, POWER SUPPLY MEANS OPERABLY CONNECTED SEPARATELY TO EACH UPPER ROLL OF SAID MACHINE AND SELECTIVELY ADJUSTABLE WHILE THE MACHINE IS OPERATING WHEREBY THE SPEEDS OF SAID UPPER ROLLS MAY BE RELATIVELY ADJUSTED AT WILL WHILE A FABRIC STRAND IS RUNNING THROUGH SAID MACHINE, TREATING FLUID SUPPLY CONNECTION MEANS DISPOSED IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE COMPARTMENT ADJACENT THE DISCHARGE END PORTION OF SAID MACHINE AND ADAPTED CONNECTION DISPOSED AT THE OPPOSITE END PORTION OF SAID TANK, WHEREBY THE TREATING FLUID WILL CRISS-CROSS THROUGH THE LENGTH OF SAID TANK FROM THE FABRIC STRAND DISCHARGE END THEREOF TOWARD THE FABRIC STRAND INLET END THEREOF. 